Melbourne to Osaka Double Handed Race 2013. Tuesday evening and Optimus Prime has made it to the head of the fleet with less than 130 miles to go (The finish line on the Tracker has now been corrected).

At the 6.00 pm sked, they reported 11 knots boat speed in a 20 knot south easterly. “Light cloud cover, still freezing cold. A1 up although might have to go to the smaller A0 as old mate is having trouble keeping the mast pointing to the sky. Crew are fit with no health issues”.

Escapade is hanging on – 140 miles to go - but Wasabi was making good speed less than 30 miles behind and likely to catch Escapade overnight.

Cadibarra is about 110 miles behind Wasabi with 15 knots behind the beam, and Spirit of Downunder was 150 miles behind Cadi at sked time.

Gusto has finally found some breeze, reporting 30 knots + and big seas, and it’s a change of pace for Eric and Paul on Turbulence – “9.6 knots boat speed, 4 metre NE swell and plenty of clouds and rain squalls”.

No report from Funnelweb tonight, and we’ve been unable to update their tracker position since the 6.00 am sked this morning. Hopefully we can address that after the 6.00 am sked on Wednesday morning.

Kiss Goodbye to MS was still at Saipan at sked time, no news yet on when they’re leaving there.

Southern Cross, still making good progress, is about 200 miles south east of Saipan.

Watch the Tracker overnight for updates on how the leading boats are managing as they approach Osaka Bay.